A Walk in the Shroud (Open to All)

[Ari Kagon]

Morelle walked with nimble footing through the foliage of the Central Shroud, well off the marked path with her arrow at the ready and her bow half strung.

 

The sun had already begun its quickening descent below the horizon, its radiant orange and red rays of daylight giving way to the soft lavender and deepening shades of night. Occasionally stopping to listen for signs of any movement, she quietly berated her growling stomach for betraying the quiet mid-evening air. 

 

 

Oh Nymeia, something...anything.Meat or coin, it matters not. She silently prayed.

 

 

Behind her, a faint series of  *snaps* from clumsy feet echoed in her long Duskwight ears, approximately 1/4 a malm away by the sound of it and approaching at a moderate pace. She turned and crouched low to the ground, her bow now fully strung at her side. In the relative short distance, she saw a silhouette. It was obviously of humanoid origin but the features were not visible in the dying light of day, nor could she determine the possible gender.  

 

Chances of it being an Ixali were of high percentage given the area. She would wait until it got closer to assess a further course of action.

[Kouen Elfrit]

As the night approaches his desperation grows. His head swivels left to right and right to left, he walks at a faster pace and his eyes dart between the flora and the fauna. His eyebrows burrows into his face as he grits his teeth.

 

"Where are you..." A bewildered and distraught look marks his miqo'te face.

 

He stops and takes a deep breath, lessening the tension to his draw, closes his eyes and perks his ears up.

 

The sky has unveiled its diamonds, darkness blankets the forest.

 

"Alright Kouen, if you were Ah'lex where would you be..." thinks to himself.

 

He opens his eyes in surprise to not have notice a presence of another, not the one he seeks. He can only distinguish the silhouette, wishing he had eyes of the seekers. He takes cover by a tree, waves his hand waiting for a friendly response.

[Ari Kagon]

Well, surely no Ixali would be hiding behind a tree. Morelle reasoned to herself.

Her bow still fully strung, she raised from her position.

 

"Show yourself, stranger. I have no intent on firing. Had I, your body would have been riddled with arrows ten times over by now."

 

 

Morelle waited a moment for reply as the cool night air blew a gentle breeze in her direction. A strong twinge of discomfort assaulted her nose. Withdrawing her hand from her bowstring, Morelle vigorously rubbed her itching nose. 

 

 

Nymeia, you shrewd fickle diety... She groaned in her inner monologue all the while feeling completely ridiculous.

[Quuyn]

Upon the somber winds that slated the leaves of the grandiose trees that dotted the landscape, the ruffle of leaves and the snap of twigs resounded through the woods. Similar effect to a gong being rung in the silent mansion, seeming to breathe life into the quiet atmosphere.

 

Slicing through the random ambiance was a rather soft mew of what would be best described as a yawn, or perhaps someone stepped on the tail of a squirrel, one of the two. - Yet that information was quickly revealed as the tense atmosphere of the nearby confrontation, was brutally shattered with the outburst of a yelp. 

 

Cracking twigs and combinations of rustles and groans emanated from directly above the Elezen's skull. Until the source finally came into view. Tumbling down the thick branches, as a white array of silk. Yet it quickly became more clear as to what it actually was, bouncing back up slightly as it neared it's plummet to the ground. 

 

From the treetops, had appeared a squirming, upside down humanoid. Unfortunately due to the turn of events, his robes had flipped over, completely revealing the skin tight ebony trousers, peeling back to his waist. Where a giant puff of white billowed over and downwards. Cascading to completely envelop the figure's upper torso in an alabaster tomb of cloth. 

 

Squirming, and causing a general ruckus, as the figure's foot was clearly wedged underneath a protruding branch, causing it to dangle limply. In fact he had nearly landed directly atop the female Elezen, yet was saved by the misfortune of being wedged. Nature itself seemed to hold it's breath, hoping this commotion wouldn't result in... unwanted company.

 

Good Morning to you too Eoreza... Koyu grumbled with his inner thoughts, leaning up in an attempt to free himself of this torment, yet to no avail.

[Ari Kagon]

"SEVEN HELLS!" Morell shrieked, her eyes transfixed on the dangling Miqo'te.

Stumbling backwards a few paces, Morelle caught her footing along with her composure.

 

Her gaze still upon the struggling Miqo'te, she could not help but crack a covert grin of amusement and bit her tongue to stifle the giggle that attempted to erupt from her belly. Swallowing down the laugh and managing a straight face before the upside down Miqo discovered her discrete mockery, Morelle cocked a curious brow.

 

"How I didn't take notice of you up there is beyond me. Would you like assistance before your blood drains all to your head?"

[Quuyn]

As if the struggling Miqo'te was merely a deer in headlights, he froze instantly at the sudden uprising of a voice beneath him. Unable to see the origin of it, yet he froze, slightly swaying from his position of misfortune due to gravity's cruel amusement.

 

Sinking his teeth into the plush flesh of his bottom lip before squeaking out the tiniest of responses. Embarrassment was heavy on his tone, this wasn't the most manly position he had found himself in.

 

"...Yes please." 

[Kouen Elfrit]

A deep sigh of relief takes over Kouen, the arrow that was held between his two fingers find itself stuck on a branch next to the stranger in white.

 

 

"How many arrows is he worth?" He asked as the tension in the air lessened. A slight breeze passes by, grass rippling along with the wind and the leaves follow.

 

He lowers his bow and slowly walks over while studying the other two. Making sure no one is underneath, Kouen assists the other miqo'te down. Holds his hand out to help him up.

 

 

"Sorry about that. Names Kouen, sellsword." He yanks the arrow out of the branch nearby, shakes his head to himself. He turns to the elezen and the miqo'te.

 

 

"Any of you wouldn't happen to see a female miqo'te of the sun, about 5ft tall, skin slightly darker than mine, has black hair and blue eyes?" He inquired while looking around squinting his eyes as if trying to see all of the horizon through the trees.

[Ari Kagon]

Cocking her head to one side, Morelle studied the two Miqo'te men. "Pardon my outburst," she nodded apologetic to the Miqo previously embedded in the tree. "You nearly scared me into the hereafter which I suppose would be a great feat seeing as narrow a creature can slip unnoticed by these." She motioned to her long pointed ears.

 

"As for you," She turned to the other Miqo. "I nearly made a living target dummy of you when I heard you a quarter malm away, by reflex of course not by personal reasoning."

 

The twinge reared it's ugly head once more and Morelle vigorously rubbed her nose, her face hot with embarrassment.

 

"You must forgive me. I have a rather..odd condition around Miqo'te. Also, to answer your question, No I haven't seen anyone matching your description. Is there a reason in particular? Is someone lost?"

[Quuyn]

Flopping from the traumatizing events of being held captive by a tree branch. The glob of alabaster cloth plummeted down, crushing assorted twigs and leaves in his five point landing. Instead of tanking the oustretched hand from the unfamilar face, his attention swiveled around, taking in both the denizens of the wood. Before huffing in slight disappointment that he had been so publically embarassed like this.

 

Opting to lounge in the pile of leaves rather than clamber up to his feet, the Miqo'te allowed his skull to fall limp, tossing itself backwards to stare skywards. Raising a digit to offer a sweeping strike of a salute towards the fellow Miqo'te hovering over him.

 

"...Koyu... Name's Koy- GAH."

 

Curt short by the realization that his alabaster robes were sporting up near the lining of his throat, not even bothering to conceal his slender frame. Instantly bouncing out of the bushes and pushing the clothes down, ironing out the assorted wrinkles with random hand waves over the patterns. 

The chosen attire was rather form fitting, not exceptionally bulky like the usual robes worn. Yet the face that it had paired with it, nearly screamed lack of sleep. Bags under the eyes, a sluggish, vacant expression, in combination with a messy, unkempt head of hair.

 

Inhaling sharply once he had finished correcting that which must not go awry, he glanced between the two, blinking heavily before his memory booted up. Pivoting his attention span towards the other Miqo'te. shaking his skull in the negative.

 

"Haven't seen anyone... Naught but birds anyways."

[Kouen Elfrit]

Looks at Koyu with a raised eyebrow, mostly pondering at what possible actions to have lead him up a tree sleeping during the day. He puts his curiosity on hold for he has other things on the agenda.

 

"I'm not so keen on hunting in the night." He blinks heavily for a moment. Triest to make that an excuse for not being too wary of his surroundings.

 

"The Ixal has been wondering out of the Xelphatol canyons into black shroud territory, felling trees for some deity they worship. Recently there had been rumors of kidnappings for their sacrificial worship." Kouen rolls his head on one side of his shoulder to the next then rolls back.

"She is 16 years of age, she is not in her home, not around Gridania and the young ones should not be out this late." He sighs, leans on the tree and drops his head.

 

"Worst dad of the year..." Mumbles to himself. He pauses to stare at the ground then leans off the tree and presumes sniffing the air, following any trace of his daughter.

[Ari Kagon]

Morelle's face softened. 

 

"Now that's not the attitude to have in such a situation.  Let's set out and look a while. Some clue will surely turn up. Oh, where have my manners gone? You can call me Noire." 

 

Morelle slung her bow over her shoulder as she tried for a most assuring smile toward the sulking Miqo'te.

[Quuyn]

Adjusting himself in his robes as the other two conversed, picking up the more important details. Finishing his alignment by tossing up the silky alabaster hood to cover most of his hair, falling a bit low, covering his eyes, nearly drooping down to the ends of his nose. 

 

Koyu's lips parted as if to speak, yet instead all that came out was a pathetically small yawn. Minorly ignoring the other two as they conversed. Proceeding to meandered a small distance away from the tree, into the open. Digging around in the depths of his pockets to tug out a sad looking branch. Flicking it up as the tip began to radiate with an emerald glow. Seemingly out of thin air, a plethora of minuscule pebbles began forming around the Miqo'te's feet. Rumbling, swirling and jutting in random directions. Finally, they halted, dropping to the leaf riddled ground and shooting out in every direction, covering the nearby area with mobile pebbles. 

 

Moments passed before they all rose, revealing the cleared off fresh slate of dirt. The floating assortments of cobble began to violently shake, threatening to rupture, before simply corroding into dust, blowing off into the nothingness from whence they came. The Miqo'te elevated a digit towards a foot print, too small to be any of theirs, accompanied by three more, all heading in the same direction before they disappeared beneath the leaves that remained uncleared. 

 

"Foooound heeer~"  Koyu pronounced in a rather sing-songy tone.

[Kouen Elfrit]

"wh-,..." The words escape from his lips as he jumps on the foot prints, hunching over precariously, sniffing and snorting the one scent that matters. He looks off into the direction guided by both the imprints and the smell. Without warning he took off being completely guided by the familiar aroma and completely motivated as if there are only two living beings in this world and he is the hunting carnivore.

 

He stops abruptly to examine a tree that is armored in thorns and moss. Giving his olfactory senses a sample of the palette offered by the tree wasn't exactly a treat, but was more interested in the blood scent. A shocked expression accedes him. Just as he came, he went; now with a more quickness in his step. As he navigates his way around, he tramples over a pair of fallen Ixal bodies paying them no attention with his lust for reassurance.

 

"Azeyma, please protect her"

[Ari Kagon]

Oh my, what have I managed to get tangled up in now? Two Miqo's who make my nose do the crazies and a stomach that continues to screech at me for sustenance. Though I did say 'for meat or coin', I don't think either of these two have anything of value much less gil to swindle. The current situation doesn't help either. 

 

 

Morelle finally managed to pull herself out of her internal monologue in time to register the Miqo'te's words. Without further delay she made her way the few paces over to Koyu's position.  There was unmistakably a few sets of footprints.

 

 

"Only one way to find out who they belong to and where they go."

[Quuyn]

Koyu flutters his heavy laden eyes at the sudden bolting of the other member of his race. Tossing a brow skywards in tune with the slightest tilt of his skull. Only to swivel over to the Elezen who cropped up in his vision. Shrugging nonchalantly, the robed Mage slips the slender branch down into the depths of his pocket. 

 

Sluggishly shuffling after the ragtag band of childseekers. Glancing to the sky to witness the setting of the sun. Furrowing his brow slightly to mutter beneath his breath.

 

"Awwh, c'mon! I just woke up. Not fair..." 

[Ari Kagon]

Morelle giggled quietly to herself, Koyu's quiet words picked up by her sensitive ears, as she took chase after Kouen. Her grin turned to a pained frown as her stomach growled once more and bitterly churned in discomfort. 

 

Kouen showed no signs of stopping or slowing, his tail swishing violently back and forth almost rhythmically. She hoped he would stop soon, without food in her belly, her energy would run out soon.

[Kouen Elfrit]

Kouen slows down once more, this time he dives into a bush and sorts the leaves apart so he could see. Several Ixal beastmen in the meadow wandering, roving about peering around for something, or someone. Over in the distance a tall meadow tree looms over the presiding bird-like craven creatures. Delicately flowing in the wind like silky green hair, draping and dangling over the meadow except for one strand of hair. A black miqo'te tail.

 

He spots the young woman perched upon the branches, trapped by the aboriginal birds of the Xelphatol canyons. Time may be against Kouen, if she did tinged the thorn, there is a possibility, at least in Kouens mind that she could have extracted Saint Allenes Fire.

 

Several to the left. A few more on the right He checks his quiver.

Not enough. It hasn't been THAT long. Albeit a little rusty; he touches his ye olde faithful saber.

 

Hears a faint growl from behind

"?"

[Quuyn]

Finally catching up to the duo, after taking his sweet time with the venture. He also heard the bestial growl, yet it was coming from in front of him. At first, his expression reflected his uncertainty about the origin. Before a second grumble was emitted. Following it by angling his ears to it's location, instantly rolling his eyes at the realization.

 

"...Giving away our location because you're hungry seems like a pretty boring way to die..."

 

Koyu rummaged through the depths of his robes, thrusting a hand down the depths of his alabaster front, through the neckhole. Tugging out a single package, the aroma of baked bread filled the air.

 

"...Eat it... It's not my thing anyways, it's so dry."

 

Extending his hand towards Noire with the sizable packaged loaf. Offering a pleasant smile, while doing his best to keep the scent out of reach of his own nostrils.

[Ari Kagon]

Morelle smiled graciously at Koyu. 

 

"I thank you but if anything, the smell of baked bread giving away our location would be an even more boring way to die." 

 

Without hesitation and little manner, Morelle devoured the bread. 

 

"Kouen, I have a full quiver. How many Ixal are we looking at?"  

 

 

 

 

---

[OOC: Last post for me tonight. I'll pick up earlier tomorrow night if you guys are still interested.]

[Kouen Elfrit]

"6 to my left, 8 on my right. The way I see this working out is we take out the closest birdies, thank fully none of them are holding a bow. Now after our first wave we have to-"

 

A feint cackle echoed through the quiet and dark meadow interrupting everything. All stopped and turned in it's direction, the most quiet this part of the woods has ever gotten as if it casted a silence spell. Towards that faintly indiscreet snapping noise was where Ah'lex would be.

 

The birds are cawing at the tree.

 

"Oh faith and begorrah just go" Kouen pops out of the bushes and lets go his last two arrows, one beastman fell to the right and another nearly hits a head shot but dings and ricochets off. He drops the bow, unsheathes his silver saber and assumes a stance.

[Quuyn]

Koyu nearly falls over as the other Miqo'te barrels it in like a lunatic. Regaining himself in time to charge in after him. Even if he wasn't the best at combat, he could help at least a little... Maybe.

 

"And they call -me- reckless?!" 

 

Groaning at the aspect of getting involved in this entire mess, Koyu withdraws the branch he previously used as an instrument. Inhaling deeply to gather what source of power he could. Targeting two on the right hand side. Shortly after the robed Miqo'te extended his palm forwards, the ground beneath him seemed to crack, and grind itself up in a straight line towards the duo. As if a mole had just barreled itself forwards underground. Once it hit it's targets, a pair of massive stone work hands billowed forth, gripping around the target's legs. immobilizing them.

 

"...I helped!"

[Ari Kagon]

Pulling out three arrows at once, Morelle strung her bow as far back as her arm would allow and took careful aim. With little time to completely focus, she sent the arrows flying into the air.

One pierced an Ixal twice in the torso while the other made impact in another's upper arm.

 

Frowning at her less than stellar marksmanship on the second, she immediately reloaded settling for two arrows instead of three.

Both arrows sailed, whizzing by the ear of the saber wielding Kouen and planting firmly in the sternum of two nearby Ixals.

 

"Dibs on any valuables these birds may carry!" Morelle shouted with a little more enthusiasm than was probably necessary as she continued firing.

[Kouen Elfrit]

Kouen takes a swing at an Ixal's buckler. Eyes open with the sudden epiphany that he is no match. The Ixal sees this and takes a wide over-confidant swing. Sucker. His expression turns into a cocky smirk. Rolls underneath the swing. Over swung, the Ixal pays this blunder with it's life. Another one down. Another one approaches.

 

This Ixal charges at Kouen with a fury, swings once, twice. Misses the first but manages to slice through the fabric at the midsection, just barely cutting the skin.

Kouen parries the third swing and counters with his attack. The Ixal holds up and hides behind the poorly crafted shield. Kouen takes a step back. Inhale. Exhale. The blood from his abdomen makes a small cameo on his white, cut and dirty blouse. The wind blows, letting all know that it takes it's place in the audience. A female miqo'te leaps from the trees and dashes off into the woods. The trapped birdmen caws at the prey, The Ixal in front of Kouen looks for just a split second.

 

An opening!

 

With a fury of a tiger, he flashed through the Ixal like lightning. The Ixal's eyes roll back to the heavens and into it's skull, seeking desperation to their primals they worship.

 

May the gods forgive these creatures, for I will not!

 

He cuts off 3 other Ixal before they can even give chase.  He stares at them down, piercing their eyes and gazing into their soul. "Come!" he taunts. Lightning strikes and the birdmen leap at him.